 |
 |
     |
  |
|
     |
Trade policy is becoming an important issue to more businesses in the United
States as the barriers to trade and capital movement decline and foreign markets
become more interconnected with US markets.
With the growth of regional trade blocks and increased membership in
international trade organizations such as the World Trade Organization, the
impact of US and foreign trade policy on the success of businesses in the United
States will continue to increase.
Trade policy directly affects virtually all industries.
Trade policy and promotion includes a variety of activities including analysis
of markets, increasing attendance at trade events, identifying agents and
distributors, and disseminating information on export financing. Additional
activities include representing business interests with officials of foreign
governments, national government agencies, international organizations, and
trade missions; identifying joint venture partners; researching development
projects; and understanding foreign standards, testing, and certification
requirements.
Career Paths and Entry Salaries
Entry-level titles include project coordinator, research assistant, government
relations assistant, economic analyst, public relations specialist, and trade
policy associate. A student with a
graduate degree can expect a salary of $38,000 –$45,000, but professionals in
the field emphasize that experience is key to both monetary and professional
advancement.
Communication between business and government is critical given that US
government policies directly affect a company's international business.
Government policies and legislation can affect international tariffs,
non-tariff trade barriers, export financing, export license and control
requirements, counter-trade, and technology transfer.
Therefore, people who have held positions in the public sector have
experience critical to a firm's international activities.
Export promotion at the Department of Commerce, export licensing at the
State Department, and trade finance at the Department of Treasury are but a few
examples of public sector work that would be considered desirable.
The legislative branch also provides a setting for graduates seeking to
develop knowledge valuable to global corporations.
An individual who understands how government works and how to influence
policy to the business sector's advantage is a particularly attractive
candidate.
In the private sector, graduates will spend a considerable amount of time
monitoring government activities to identify policies that could affect their
organization and try to influence those policies.
Again, a solid understanding of government procedures and intimate
knowledge of key issues surrounding your business or industry is essential, as
is the ability to research and analyze markets trends and political
developments, both nationally and internationally.
Inside knowledge of the federal government would be a great asset to any
business seeking to influence trade policy.
Qualifications Necessary to Enter the Field
·
Superior oral and written communication skills,
especially in persuasion
Sample Group of Employers
Federal Government:
·
Department of Commerce,
http://www.doc.gov/
Private Sector:
·
AT&T,
http://www.att.com
Associations/Websites:
·Federal Trade Commission,
www.ftc.gov
Professional Organizations
·
Alliance of Automobile manufacturers,
http://www.autoalliance.org
Directories:
The U.S. Trade
Assistance Directory
introduces thousands of exporters to the service providers they need for
assistance in sales, marketing, finance, shipping, insurance, translation,
travel and other essential services.
Publications:
Annual Report of the
Foreign-Trade Zones Board Careers in International Business, Edward Joseph Halloran, McGraw-Hill (2003) – in career library
This page current as of:
April 24, 2008 |
|
